Government, MEPA working on policies for sustainable water use

The government and the environment authority were involved in discussions for the drafting of new policies to help "genuine farmers" in better distribution of water.

Addressing a national seminar on the sustainable use of water on irrigated land organised by the Gal Xlokk Foundation, parliamentary secretary for agriculture Roderick Galdes also said red tape was hindering farmers from developing modern water collection systems.

Speaking on the need for more investment in the sector, Galdes also said that over the next seven years Malta will benefit from a €132 million rural development programme.

Among government's priorities was research in agriculture to help Maltese farmers.

Water engineer Marco Cremona said Malta was consuming water 21 times more than it produces. 33% of water is consumed by households while 45% was consumed by agriculture.

The seminar was co-financed by the European Union under the rural development programme 2007-2013.